Design Story: Michael & Leah

“As I find Leah to be the best out of all the fish in the sea I wanted her ring to be uniquely hers because I had caught the best!” -Michael

How did you two meet?

Leah and I met while attending Ball State University. She walked into class and I thought she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. During that class we ended up getting paired together for the final project. We bonded instantly and became great friends. It wasn’t till a few years later that we actually went out on our first date. We played a round of mini-golf and as Leah will tell you we became super competitive after the first few holes. At the end when we tallied up our scores it ended up being a perfect tie! Since then we have had many adventures. Leah supported my military career, and she’s become a top notch nurse that practices sports medicine while she now is working towards her Nurse Anesthetist degree. Our biggest adventure though has been our move from the Midwest to Washington, D.C. We couldn’t have come out here alone, and together we have supported and pushed each other to new heights as we continue to grow and share our love for each other.

How long have you been together?

Since September 2009

How did you hear about us?

I did a web search. After reading reviews online it was an easy choice to start with Forever Artisans. From the first communications it was clear I chose the right company.

How was your overall experience with Forever Artisans?

Forever Artisans has been fantastic! From day one they worked hard to bring my creative thoughts to life with their magical skills! I can’t say enough of how great everyone is and the friendly, yet professional experience. They worked with me to bring all my imaginative ideas to life through phone conversations and countless messages on the design boards. We also worked with Forever Artisans to design Leah’s wedding band to match the golden roses on her engagement ring so that her diamonds would look like they are sitting in a bed of roses.

Can you share your proposal story?

I was ready to propose to Leah after I graduated from Army Basic Training. I was still new to this whole engagement ring business. That summer while pouring over endless sights about engagement rings I stumbled on Diamond Nexus and Forever Artisans. I learned so much about the grown diamond process couldn’t help but tell Leah about it. She was thrilled with the idea of a lab grown diamond, and knowing for certain that her diamonds could be conflict free.
Once I had the final ring in my hand a year or so later I found out that our wedding photographer was going to be in D.C. visiting with friends and family. The photographer agreed to take pictures of Leah and I but I told both the photographer and Leah it was just going to be “pre-engagement” pictures. I also told Leah that we could just Photoshop her ring on her finger later and no one would know. That didn’t go over too well. On an early Saturday morning we got up before the sun rose, to take pictures in our best outfits. Leah would later tell me that she checked my pockets and when she didn’t find anything she ended up giving up hope that that morning would be the big morning. Little did she know that I had the ring box stashed away in my boot!
As we took our final pictures, I told Leah to wait a minute. I said that something was wrong with my boot. As I messed with the zipper to pull out the box she turned around. I was on one knee. It was then, as the morning sun shined upon us, that I asked Leah if she would marry me.

Where did the inspiration for this design come from?

Leah and I have always joked and told everyone that we are like Beauty and the Beast. She loves to read books and can finish a few hundred pages a night if she really gets into it! She also has worked as an Official Disney Princess in Indiana as Belle. Of course much of the design came from listening to what Leah told me she wanted in her dream ring over the course of a few years.

Did we meet all of your expectations from design image to finished piece?

Forever Artisans went far above any and all my expectations! So far in fact that any jewelry that I get for Leah will be from them! They’re the best out there and there is no better.

Designer Quote

"I enjoyed experimenting with this new technique to replicate a part of nature. It was also great to work with them to create their matching wedding bands."